The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-05-28

But ahl what pen can do justice to an old
fine camp-meeting, when, for brief period,
thetoil and hardships of pioneer life were
forgotten; and, gathering as one family
around a common altar our fathers and
mothers made the 'groves, Gods first tenn
nles resound with notes of prayer and
praise!
You may be sure gentle Mrs. Stearns met
many friends, and that her bountiful table
was daily surrounded by those who did
ample justice to her daintily prepared food.
Rrth fitted here and there, now assisting
hermother, now slipping away to chat with
Salie Morris, whose father, being class
Iesder, had a large, commodious tent.
Neither DR.. Hargrave nor Bob Ingram
made their appearance until Saturday even
ing, and many were the captains jests
about the recreants whenev sr he encoun-
tered the girls, Sallie ever ready with laugh
and gay retort to answer him
Sunday morning dawned bright and fair,
and all was hustle in the Norris tent,
where the two fair brides were ''getting
ready and when both were arrayed, it
would have been hard to find two prettier
ones. Dressed alike in white, with ribbons
of palest blue, you could not have told one
from the other without second look, al
though Ruth was more slender, and her
hair and eyes darker than her friends.
Mrs. Stearns, sitting on trunk, clasping
Susie close, is letting great tears fall I'M
needed from her soft, brown eyes, while
Mrs. Morris, jolly, sunny-faced woman,
is busy helping every body.
"Come,'' she says, at last, ''it's nine
O'Clock, and Doc and Bob are waiting"
AS the young men entered the tent, Ruth
went to her mothers side.
-.gdother," she whispered, "rll love you
aalsgs, and I'll be a better girl, and you'll
forgive me when you find have deceived
you, tyr couldn't help it."
And hen, with quick embrace, and a
kiss on susie's rosy lips, she is gone before
her motfer realizes it.
Bob leafs her outside thetent, and follow
ing the doftor and Sallie, they walk on until
they find themselves in front of the plat
form, wher many of their friends and rela-
tives, including, of course the captain, are
gathered.
Presently he voices of the ministers are
heard, for Sale had insisted on having both
ceremonies Performed at the same time; so
each couple hld minister to themselves.
The solemn ervice was soon over, but, as
the bridal parry faced their friends to re-
ceive congratulations, general look of
surprise was exchanged among the on
lockers, for sulely that was Sallie clinging
to Bob, and as sirely, DR.. Hargrave held
Ruth's small hand in a firm clasp.
The captain, hirrying up to congratulate
the young folks, paused with puzzled
LOOK and just then the doctor stepped for
ward, keeping last hold of Ruth, and
handed him bit # paper, saying:
captain, if youwill read this, l think
our joke will be satisfactorily explained"
The bewildered captain read:
april Is. Cutlery store. Conversation be-
tween Captain Stearrs and Joe Little:
How'd you like A Teller to steal gal OF
your'n, captain
Answer by Captain Stearns:
" L think Teller better not try it; but II one
did, and made a success Of it, I'd forgive EN-. p"
For minute all was still; then the capt
ain looked steadily at the young couple
and extended his hand. AS the doctor took
it, he said:
"You think yourself mighty smart, don't
youi But you wouldn't have outwitted me
if you hadn't got the hull neighborhood to
help you"
Then, turning to the other couple he
shook hands, saying:
"Ah, Della! l might have suspected
mischief when you kissed the old man. l
forgive you, Bob; Sallie'll pay you up for
this business"
1t was said the captain never alluded to
the subject again until, some years after,
he was heard telling George Stearns Har-
grave, as he handled that rosy youngster
upon his knee;
you'll be a peart one, my boy, if you
pattern after your daddy. When he
wanted a wife, he got another feller to do
his courtin'."
Nevertheless, as time passed he grew
proud Of his son-in-law, as was evident
from his often speaking of my son-in-law
DR.. Hargrave, Of Clifton" and lamenting
the fact that ''his practice was too much
for any one man."
And, as he grew older, the captains tenn
per improved so much that Susie's girl
hood was much happier than Ruth's had
been, and Mrs. Stearns' beautiful smile
became so serene that it was delightful to
watch it creep over her delicate face, light
ing up the tender eyes, and lingering about
the sensitive mouth, as if it felt at home,
and could stay as long as it pleased.
AS for Mr.. and Mrs. Bob Ingram, in spite
of the captains doleful prophecy, they
lived happily, and jollier old couple than
they were when they told me this story, it
has never been my good fortune to meet
Mrs. b. Y. Wilson, IN Ballon'S Magazine.